Arsenal right-back Mathieu Debuchy has been side-lined with an ankle injury since September, the Frenchman watching as the Gunners' defence has come under immense criticism.

The former Newcastle defender's absence has meant Calum Chambers has been played at right-back with Nacho Monreal inexplicably picked to play in the centre, and Arsenal's recent results have proved just how much of a mistake that was on Arsene Wenger's part.

But it appears Debuchy will soon be back, after the summer signing posed in the Gunners' dressing room holding the boots he hopes to wear on the pitch sooner rather than later.

Debuchy revealed a fornight ago that he was hopeful of being back in first-team action by December and that target still looks likely after his latest Twitter post.

Perhaps then Arsenal's back-line will begin to look more like the solid unit it has to if the club wants to be successful this season.

Vincent Ralph

After graduating with a degree in English Literature, Vincent completed a NCTJ-accredited qualification in newspaper and magazine journalism in 2005. Shortly after, in a somewhat leftfield move, he began working at a secondary school in Kent. After eight years – the last four of which were spent as Head of Sixth Form – he began to write full-time, combining his love of football with his passion for the written word.Alongside his work for HITC Sport, he also writes film reviews for HITC Lifestyle… along with the odd music interview when fate allows.